Peatland course in Finland

From July 20–25 the peatland course continued in Finland. On July 21 the afternoon lectures were given by Dr. Tapio Lindholm and Dr. Raimo Heikkila from Finland but on July 22 by Dr. Tapani Sallantaus and Prof. Harri Vasander from Finland. Peatland studies were carried out in 2 sites – Suurisuo and Taipalensuo Mires. The students studied the site hydrology, geology and vegetation.

During the peatland course a very rare and protected bryophytte species in Finland – Meesia lomgiseta was found.

Comparing the visited sites of the peatland course in Latvia and Finland, the sites had many features in common, although there were many regional differences. 

For example, in the Finnish mires the students could get to know about the rare bryophyte species that are not known in Latvia or are very rare (Sphagnum jenseenii, S. obtusum). At the same time, in the studied sites in Latvia and in Suurisuo Mire in Finland there were rare species, like   Hammarbya paludosa and species of EU importance- Hamatocaulis vernicosus. In Finland there were also visited such sites where occur such species as Myrica gale and Betula nana. Only in the Finnish raised bogs Rubus arcticus was observed.

There was an interest from the side of journalists about the course. Information about it was given in the National TV broadcast and Radio and revealed in 3 newspaper articles. The link to the TV news about Suurisuo http://areena.yle.fi/video/322033 
Link to the radio programme: http://areena.yle.fi/audio/321635. 

Also Tarja Heikkonen from the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation that is the Project partner in Finland participated in the course.

The aim of the peatland course was fulfilled as the Finnish, Latvian, Estonian, Dutch and Polish experience of NGO’s on peatland studies, conservation and restoration issues was shared, as well as specialised knowledge was brought together on damaged peatlands from The Netherlands and Poland and experiences with conservation of large slightly disturbed mire gradients in Latvia, Estonia, Belarus and Finland.  

Suurisuo Mire	The leaders of the peatland course in Finland - Dr. Raimo Heikkilä and Dr. Tapio Lindholm are looking at the Sphagnum species	Prof. Alberts Grootjans gives tasks for the hydrological studies in Suurisuo Mire

Dr. Tapani Sallantaus carries out water conductivity measurements in Suurisuo Mire	Peat studies in Latvia and Finland are guided by Prof. Leslaw Wolejko from Poland

In Suurisuo Mire peat corings are made and peat samples are studied. Dr. Raimo Heikkilä tells the student from Finland Markku Koskinenan about the peatland types	Iluta Lūce and Lauma Strazdiņa with interest are looking at the rare bryophyte species in the Finnish mires	Many Sphagnum species are new to the students and they have to study them carefully

Sphagnum species, including Sphagnum jensenii and S. angustifolium are important peat forming species	In Finland Rubus chamaemorus produces more berries than in Latvian mires	Rubus arcticus is a new species for the Latvian students as it does not occur in Latvian mires

Comarum palustre is a common plant species both in Latvian and Finnish mires	Hammarbya paludosa – rare species both in Latvian and Finnish mires	Interviews to the Finnish TV, Radio and newspapers are given by Dr. Tapio Lindholm from the Finnish Environment Institute

TV and Radio interview is given by Tarja Heikkonen from the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation that is a project partner in Finland as well as by Dr. Raimo Heikkilä from the Finnish Environment Institute	Everything is fixed by the journalist who will tell about it on the Finnish TV	The work of students and teachers in Suurisuo Mire is observed to tell about it in the TV news

After the end of the peatland course the Certificates are given by the project manager Dr. Māra Pakalne

International peatland course

Peatland course in Cena Mire

Peatland course in the Slītere National Park

Peatland course in Engure Nature Park

Peatland course in the Gauja National Park